Perhaps we can use this thread to report test that may be helpful to compare data that people want. Xcel requested some coasting and MPG readings in EV/charge ICE mode and I have some of that results at this time to post. If you get similar or different test results, please post your findings to compare. If others want to request more test or give test results on anything to do with the FEH or MMH FWD and AWD's, we can find it here to compile latter.

In addition, comparing other makes and models to the FEH and MMH findings could be posted here to compare. This would be interesting to me and others I would think.

Coasting Test: FEH FWD, Tire presure 44psi.

Shift to "L" at 43mph, ICE off/shift to "D" at 40mph and start coast to 10mph EV, shift to N and coast to stop. Note, the shift to N at 10mph is due to the creaping mode and you will not stop. Total distance .5 miles

Shift to N at 40mph, key off (FAS), coast till stop. Total distance .68 miles.

It appears after running two test each (3 for EV due to creaping problem), that in EV, the regenertive system decreases coasting to .18 miles from 40mph to a total stop.

Will do the EV/charge ICE mode MPG RT test when the bad gas has no more effects. Hope this helps for now xcel.

GaryG

 

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Xcel, when I went FAS by turning off the key, I did try to turn it back on but got a blank screen on the computer. You must have to restart the engine to get the readings back. Cannot help you there with the test. BTW, this was my first FAS and that's why I turn the key back to see if I got my power steering back, no luck.

As far as the fake speed shift and charging the battery VS regular ICE without, I've already tested that many times every day. The distance is a matter of FSS = 1 to 1.3 miles and regular ICE charging is 1.8 to 2.0 miles. As far as FE, if you recklessly pump the charge into the battery, it's a wash. My MPG increase came with a slow increase in RPM's after a quick drop of the gas pedal. The scangauge instant MPG has been great for the FSS perfection. No question I'm on top of this and the FSS has a definite place in EV driving. Until the bad gas, my numbers were going up quite nicely. Really don't think I'll get to 70-75mpg at this point, but who knows.

I'd like to see the prius coast comparisons.

GaryG

 

For those who missed xcel comment about knowing this info 4 months ago, He went 120mpg in the Prius this past summer with a team over 1,000 miles. He had the highest record mpg of team members. If he could have added 36% for FAS with the Prius, his mpg would have been higher. Now that's a hypermiler!

GaryG

 

New trick announcement. As a result of xcel requesting the coasting test, I did another test today and used it effectively to increace FE. Lets keep it simple and call it by its real name "Pulse and Glide" for the FEH. The only difference is how its done in the FEH most effectively.

Xcel should get full credit because he was trying put it all together without owning or driving the FEH. Only thing I did is put it into play today.

Xcel, for the life of me I didn't understand why you would want to turn the key off when the ICE is off already at 40mph. Shifting to "N" at any speed in the FEH turns off any regen and locks the engine in the mode its in till you take it out of "N". Today I watch my numbers begin to climb again thanks to you. The percentage was not a 36% increase but a 26.6% increase over a glide from EV in "D", check the math but its still a hell of an increase. Leaving the key where it is keeps all screens and power steering on. Just shift back to drive after the glide and start EV driving to increase speed again. What a difference in coasting this makes when you go from "D" to "N". Just increase your speed to 43mph, shift to "L" to 40mph, back to "D" for a second and into "N" as the tach falls and you glide like a glider. Can't set the cruise but you get better FE. Much, much better to hold the speed longer and coast 26.6% better. Its feels almost like coming out of "L" into "D" when you go from "D" to "N" now. What a ride!

GaryG

 

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Xcel, today I bet there's a few people that have been lurking this board and wondering what's the big deal about coasting. With all your experience behind those windscreens as you call it, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them think. The fact that you come to a stop in everyday driving, very few take advantage of the most common things in front of their faces. I've always known the advantages of coasting, but this simple shift to "N" in EV or even over 40mph with the ICE running is going to put my MPG where many could only dream about.

Ray and Rich trigger my mind with the low gear advantage because I would have never thought that shifting to "L" would shut off the ICE and charge the battery.

The fake shift now has helped with RPM runaway and recharging the battery.

Here I thought I was coasting in "D" and was statisfied, but your little request comes along and shows me what coasting really is. Yes, you alone get the credit for the real Pulse and Glide for the FEH. No one that's posted in the past has got it until now, this is it in a nut shell. It gives both the AWD and FWD a big chance to increase FE. Its going to put my tank averages in the 50mpg's alot easier.

What's next, need anymore test?

GaryG

 

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I'd be more than happy to run these test but this scangauge is still very new to me and this new version may not have what you need. When you say reset the gauge, you must be talking about the trip to get mpg used for each test, is this right?

Also, lets step through #1 so I understand all three test.

reset gauge, ICE On, 0-9 easy, 10-15 swift (no assist), 16-32 easy, 33-43 swift go EV at 40 ( I must set the cruise for 37 on the way up if you need that speed, 32 I can set on the way down ok) to a given point (lets use .5 miles ok). take reading while moving or stop?

Recomendation, I think in order to compare the test to each other, the battery should be full at the start of each test, you agree?

GaryG

 

A number of things are coming to light that need to be cleared up. I've been putting the FEH in "N" while parked to avoid an ICE start up and its worked up until today while gliding around town in "N". GPSman and others have said "N" will keep you in the mode your in. Not sure if this came from the Dearborn Event or where but its not a sure thing anymore. Today, several times I went from EV to ICE start up in "N" and also ICE Off coasting in "N". In addition, from a coast down to 40mph in "N", I did the double tap to go EV and it worked find. Even at a stop today in "N" a strart up happened. So I was wrong when I stated it in this thread to xcel. Did this info come from a Ford engineer?

A quick look at the scangauge instant MPG gauge while I had an overcharge start and run up showed I was burning fuel at differant levels of the tach. This means we are burning fuel when this happens.

Last thing, we now know there must be a trickle charge built into the FEH system that does not register on the energy screen. Same goes with a small drain. The use of "N" does drain the battery by not having this trickle charge from the wheels in EV or ICE. Any time the FEH has anything running ie power steering, radio, brake lights etc, the HV battery is draining very fast in "N". Today I had a hard time keeping the battery up using "N", but it was still worth it for overall FE.

GaryG